Improvement in bustles



" l MA. K. BURTREE.

Busties.

Patented Feb. 25,'1873.

mm mv: m a,

MTW

" MOSES K. BORTREE, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT |N BusTLEs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,127, dated February 25, 1673.

To all lwhom t may concern:

Be it known that I, Mosns K. BoRTREE, of Jackson, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Skeleton Bustles; and I do declare that the following is al true and accurate description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters of reference marked thereon, and being a part of this specification, in which my invention is shown in perspective in two views, front and rear.

The nature of this invention relates to the construction of an adjustable bustle, so made that at the desire of the wearer it may be compressed or extended to suit the taste or different styles of dress. The invention consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the variousparts, as more fully hereinafter a described.

In the accompanying drawing, A represents a band, provided with suitable buckle or other device to enable the wearer to secure it to and around her body. To this band, so that the connection will be made therewith nearly over the hips of the wearer, are secured the divergin g and converging springs B, in such a manner as to project beyond the rear of the band, to which the upper spring is also secured by the adj usting-cords O, in such a manner that lengthening or shortening the cords will expand or depress the springs, each of which may be provided with similar cords, if desired. An expander,l),is secured at the middle ot' the length of the springs B to them, to hold them in their position relative to each other. Other springs E are similarly secured to the springs B about midway between the expander D and 'their ends. These springs E areY continued below the lower spring B, turned with a curve forward and upward, and, crossing each other,`their ends are secured to the band A. Abrace, F, is secured at one end to the band, and at the other to thev springs E at their point of intersection. From the upper spring B there extends downward and forward an adjusting strap or tape, G, secured at its lower end at the point o f' intersection of the springsE by means of a buckle (not shown) or other similar device. By this means the horizonta-l plane of the upper spring B may be 4 adj usted at will. A coiled or spiral spring, II, is interposed between the triangle made by the springs E and brace F and the center one Vof the springs B, to give greater elasticity to the whole, and enable it to sustain the greater weight of some dresses.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The arrangement of the band A, springs B, adjusting-cords C, expander D, springs E, brace F, adjusting-strap G, when the parts are combined substantially asdescribed, and

for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with the above-named parts, and in an adjustable bustle construct ed as described, the spiral or coil spring H,

for the purposes specified.

' MOSES K. BORTREE. Witnesses:

Trios. S; SPRAGUE, H. S. SPRAGUE. 

